Daily Digest: March 20, 2014

Mar. 20, 2014

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“They (United Methodist families separated by deportation) need to know that the leadership of The United Methodist Church cares.” – Chicago Area Bishop Sally Dyck.

Chicago bishop to join immigration rally
CHICAGO (UMNS) — A third United Methodist bishop is stepping out to protest the Obama administration’s deportation of immigrants. Bishop Sally Dyck of the Northern Illinois Annual (regional) Conference said she will join a March 27 rally in Chicago and is prepared to be arrested in an act of civil disobedience. On Feb. 17, Bishops Minerva Carcaño and Julius Trimble were among those placed in custody by police during a protest near the White House.

Africa University selects new top executive
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Munashe Furusa, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at California State University in Dominguez Hills, was elected unanimously as the new chief executive of United Methodist-related Africa University during the school’s board meeting March 18.

Education conference invites pastors
HIROSHIMA, Japan (UMNS) —The International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges and Universities invites United Methodist pastors to attend the 2014 conference May 24-28 in Hiroshima. The event’s theme is “Peace, Reconciliation and Human Rights.” Established in 1991 during the World Methodist Conference, IAMSCU is affiliated with more than 800 Methodist educational institutions around the world.

Agency releases paper on technology for social good
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - United Methodist Communications is calling on church members to learn how the increasing availability of low-cost communication technologies can be used for community and economic development around the world. The agency today is releasing a discussion paper, "Using Technology for Social Good," in preparation for its Game Changers Summit, Sept. 3-5, in Nashville.

The right rockin’ Rev. Sherry Cothran
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — She's gone from a rock star featured in Rolling Stone as part of indie band The Evinrudes to being a United Methodist pastor who sings about the "untamed women" of the Old Testament. She will perform March 21 at the United Methodist Women’s Scarritt-Bennett Center.

Seeking solidarity with people on margins
CHENNAI, India (UMNS) — A March consultation attended by some 50 church leaders, theologians and activists from India, Singapore and the United States called for more attention to people on the margins. The Rev. Donald E. Messer, executive director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS, was one of the speakers.

Change the World reaches five-year milestone
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — On May 17-18, United Methodists around the world plan to pull together events to help “Change the World.” For the fifth year, local churches will take on service projects that improve the circumstances of others and spark public interest in volunteer activities. Register your project now at umcom.org/changetheworld. Churches that register their projects early can receive a free promotional kit while supplies last.

Discipleship installs Bias as new top exec
HERNDON, Va. (UMNS) — The board of directors of The United Methodist Board of Discipleship officially installed the Rev. Timothy L. Bias as the agency’s new top executive during its March board meeting.

Remembering how Bishop Morgan opened doors
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UMNS) — Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, leader of the North Alabama Annual (regional) Conference and president of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, reflects on how the late Bishop Robert C. Morgan opened doors to her and other women in the church. Morgan passed away March 16 and his funeral was March 19.